Translators were asked to sit in on more than 3,600 driving tests in the Black Country and Staffordshire because new motorists were not confident in their grasp of English, it can be revealed today.

A total of 3,686 learner drivers used an interpreter on their car practical driving tests at Wolverhampton, Wednesbury, Lower Gornal, Cannock, Stafford and Lichfield test centres between April 1, 2010 and March 31 this year.

The Driving Standards Agency also revealed 8,457 candidates sat a theory test exam with a voiceover in a different language at Wolverhampton and Dudley theory test centres over the same period.

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